Method for writing data and display apparatus for the same

ABSTRACT

A method for writing data and a display apparatus using the same are provided. The display apparatus records data to a storage space from which an external device reads the data. According to this, it is possible for the display apparatus to write data, to the display apparatus itself, which the external device reads from the display apparatus, and to write the data without an extra data recording device.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims priority from Korean Patent Application No.10-2008-0010243 filed on Jan. 31, 2008 in the Korean IntellectualProperty Office, the disclosures of which are incorporated herein byreference in their entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

Methods and apparatuses consistent with the present invention relate towriting data, and, more particularly, to a method for writing data suchas Extended Display Identification Data (EDID), to the displayapparatus, which an external device, connected to the display apparatus,uses and the display apparatus using the same.

2. Description of the Prior Art

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a conventional Digital TV (DTV). Inaddition to the DTV 2, an EDID recording device 1 is further illustratedin FIG. 1 to help understand and explain the invention.

Referring to FIG. 1, the conventional DTV 2 comprises a broadcastreceiving unit 10, an Audio-Video (AV) processing unit 20, an outputunit 30, a PC input unit 41, a High Definition Multimedia Interface(HDMI) input unit 42, a first Electrically Erasable and ProgrammableRead Only Memory (EEPROM) 51, a second EEPROM 52, and a control unit 60.

The broadcast receiving unit 10 receives a broadcast signal anddemodulates the signal. The PC input unit 41 receives a first externalimage from a first external device, for example a PC, not illustrated,which is connected through a PC input terminal. The HDMI input unit 42receives a second external image from a second external device, forexample a Digital Versatile Disk (DVD) player, not illustrated, which isconnected through a HDMI input terminal.

The AV processing unit 20 processes the broadcasting or image signalreceived from the broadcast receiving unit 10, the PC input unit 41, orthe HDMI input unit 42. The output unit 30 outputs the video or audiosignal which is processed by the AV processing unit 20.

The first EEPROM 51 stores a first EDID which is read by the firstexternal device connected to the PC input unit 41. The second EEPROM 52stores a second EDID which is read by the second external deviceconnected to the HDMI input unit 42.

The EDID recording device 1 is connected to the PC input unit 41 and theHDMI input unit 42. The EDID recording device 1 records the first EDIDto the first EEPROM 51 through the PC input unit 41 and the second EDIDto the second EEPROM 52 through the HDMI input unit 42.

As mentioned above, an extra work using an extra equipment, such as theEDID recording device 1, is required to record the EDIDs to the firstEEPROM 51 and the second EEPROM 52, causing an increase of cost andtime. Further, only a manufacturer or an after service center which hasthe EDID recording device 1 may do the EDID recording work but a userwho doesn't have the EDID recording device 1 may not do the EDIDrecording work.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An aspect of the present invention is to provide a method for writingdata such as EDID, to a display apparatus such as a DTV, without an EDIDrecording device and to provide a method for a display apparatus towrite data, to the display apparatus itself, and for an external devicesuch as a PC and a DVD player to read from the display apparatus, andthe display apparatus for the same.

Another aspect of the present invention is to provide a method for adisplay apparatus to write data, to the display apparatus itself, whichan external device refers to send an image signal, supported by thedisplay apparatus, to the display apparatus and the display apparatususing the same.

According to an aspect of the invention, there is provided a displayapparatus comprising an external interface which is connected to atleast one external device for communication, a storage unit whichprovides a space for recording data which the at least one externaldevice, connected through the external interface, reads and a controlunit which records the data to the storage unit. the data may bereferred by the at least one external device for sending an imagesignal, supported by the display apparatus, to the external interface.the data may be the EDID of the display apparatus. the data may bedisplay information provided in the display apparatus.

It is desirable for the storage unit to be connected to the control unitelectrically for sending the data to the storage unit. It is desirablefor the control unit to record the data to the storage unit if anindicator has a predetermined value. The control unit may determinewhether the indicator has the predetermined value, if the displayapparatus is turned on.

The external interface may comprise at least one external input unitwhich is connected to the at least one external device for communicationand the storage unit may comprise at least one storage medium which isconnected to the respective at least one external input unit. Thedisplay apparatus may comprise at least one switching unit whichswitches one among the at least one storage medium for connecting to thecontrol unit and the control unit may control switching operation of theat least one switching unit so that the control unit is connected to theat least one storage medium sequentially.

The display apparatus may comprise a memory in which the data isrecorded and the control unit may read the data from the memory andwrites the data to the storage unit. The display apparatus may comprisea broadcast receiving unit which receives a broadcasting signal, asignal processing unit which processes at least one of the broadcastingsignal, which is received through the broadcast receiving unit, and theimage signal, which is received from the at least one external devicetrough the external interface and a display unit which displays at leastone of the broadcasting signal and the image signal which are processedby the signal processing unit. The display apparatus may comprise asignal processing unit which processes the image signal which isreceived from the at least one external device through the externalinterface and a display unit which displays the image signal which isprocessed by the signal processing unit.

According to an aspect of the invention, there is provided a datarecording method of a display apparatus connected to an external devicefor communication, comprising recording a data, which the externaldevice reads, to a storage space for recording the data in the displayapparatus. The data may be referred by the external device for sendingan image signal, supported by the display apparatus, to the displayapparatus. The data may be the EDID of the display apparatus. The datamay be display information provided in the display apparatus. Thedisplay apparatus may be a TV or a monitor. The recording the data maybe performed only if an indicator has a predetermined value.

According to an aspect of the invention, there is provided a displayapparatus comprising an external interface which is connected to anexternal device for communication, a storage unit which provides a spacefor recording data which is referred by the external device for sendingan image signal, supported by the display apparatus, to the externalinterface, and a control unit which records the data to the storageunit.

According to an aspect of the invention, there is provided a displayapparatus comprising an external interface which is connected to anexternal device for communication, a display unit which displays animage signal received from the external device through the externalinterface, a storage unit which provides a space for recording datawhich is information of the display unit, and a control unit whichrecords the data to the storage unit.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above and other aspects and features of the present invention willbe apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunctionwith the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates a block diagram of a conventional DTV;

FIG. 2 illustrates a block diagram of a DTV according to a firstexemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 illustrates a block diagram of a DTV according to a secondexemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 illustrates a block diagram of a DTV according to a thirdexemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5 illustrates a block diagram of a DTV according to a fourthexemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 6 illustrates a block diagram of a DTV according to a fifthexemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 7 illustrates a block diagram of a DTV according to a sixthexemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 8 illustrates a flowchart of an EDID recording operation in a DTVaccording to a seventh exemplary embodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 9 illustrates a block diagram of a display apparatus according toan eighth exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 10 illustrates a flowchart of a data recording operation in adisplay apparatus according to a ninth exemplary embodiments of thepresent invention;

FIG. 11 illustrates a block diagram of a display apparatus according toan tenth exemplary embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 12 illustrates a block diagram of a display apparatus according toan eleventh exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments of the present invention will bedescribed in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Theaspects and features of the present invention and methods for achievingthe aspects and features will be apparent by referring to theembodiments to be described in detail with reference to the accompanyingdrawings. However, the present invention is not limited to theembodiments disclosed hereinafter, but can be implemented in diverseforms. The matters defined in the description, such as the detailedconstruction and elements, are nothing but specific details provided toassist those of ordinary skill in the art in a comprehensiveunderstanding of the invention, and the present invention is onlydefined within the scope of the appended claims.

FIG. 2 illustrates a block diagram of a DTV according to a firstexemplary embodiment of the present invention. Hereafter, the firstexemplary embodiment of the present invention is explained referring toFIG. 2.

The DTV of the first exemplary embodiment comprises a broadcastreceiving unit 110, an AV processing unit 120, an output unit 130, anexternal interface 140, a storage unit 150, a control unit 161, anEEPROM 170, and a flash memory 180.

The broadcast receiving unit 110 receives a broadcasting signal by cableor wireless transmission and demodulates the signal.

The AV processing unit 120 processes a broadcasting signal which thebroadcast receiving unit 110 outputs or an external image signal, whichis described later, which the external interface 140 outputs. The AVprocessing unit 120 performs signal processing such as video decoding,video scaling, On Screen Display (OSD) processing, and audio decoding.

The output unit 130 outputs the video and audio signals which areprocessed at the AV processing unit 120. It may be implemented using adisplay apparatus and a speaker.

The external interface 140 connects a DTV and external devices forcommunication. Referring to FIG. 2, there are five external input units,which are referred through reference numbers 140-1 to 140-5, in theexternal interface 140.

External devices are connected to the external input units. For example,a PC may be connected to a first external input unit 140-1, a Set TopBox (STB) may be connected to a second external input unit 140-2, a DVDplayer may be connected to a third external input unit 140-3, a Dvixplayer may be connected to a fourth external input unit 140-4, and aBlue ray Disk (BD) player may be connected to a fifth external inputunit 140-5.

A standard for each external input unit may be chosen. For example, thefirst external input unit 140-1 may use the D-sub standard, and thesecond external input unit 140-2 to the fifth external input unit 140-5may use the HDMI standard.

The storage unit 150 may comprise five EEPROMs, which are referredthrough reference numbers 150-1 to 150-5, which are the same number withthe external input units.

The EEPROMs 150-1 to 150-5 are connected to respective external inputunits 140-1 to 140-5. The EEPROMs 150-1 to 150-5 store respective EDIDswhich are recorded by the control unit 161.

The EDIDs comprise data related to display information of the DTV. Fordetails, the EDIDs may comprise display information such as a resolutionsupported by the DTV, a signal format supported by the DTV, type of theDTV, signal to noise ratio (S/N), and date of manufacturing. The EDIDsare required for an external device to send an image signal, which issupported by the DTV, to the DTV.

Also, the EDIDs may comprise information about port numbers of a DTV.External input units 140-1 to 140-5 have respective port numbers. SoEDIDs stored in the respective EEPROMs 150-1 to 150-5 have differentcontents.

Through a cable, external devices detect physical connection to theexternal interface unit 140 and read the EDIDs for grasping image whichis supported by the DTV. For example, the PC connected to the firstexternal input unit 140-1 reads the EDID stored in the first EEPROM150-1, the DVD player connected to the second external input unit 140-2reads the EDID stored in the second EEPROM 150-2, and the other externaldevices also read the other EDIDs in the same manner.

The EEPROM 170 stores EDID record indicators. The EDID record indicatorrepresents whether an EDID is recorded in an EEPROM or not. For example,if EDID record indicators are 0, then EDIDs are recorded in the EEPROMs150-1 to 150-5, and if EDID record indicators are 1, then the EDIDs arenot recorded in the EEPROMs 150-1 to 150-5.

The flash memory 180 stores the EDIDs to be recorded in the EEPROMs150-1 to 150-5.

The control unit 161 controls overall operations of the DTV such asbroadcast receiving operation of the broadcast receiving unit 110 andsignal processing operation of the AV processing unit 120. The controlunit 161 is connected to the EEPROMs 150-1 to 150-5 electrically and maysend data to the EEPROMs 150-1 to 150-5. The control unit 161 may beconnected to the EEPROMs 150-1 to 150-5 by the inter integrated circuit(I2C) method.

If the EDID record indicators in the EEPROM 170 are 1, the control unit161 reads the EDIDs stored in the flash memory 180 sequentially andrecords the EDIDs to the respective EEPROMs 150-1 to 150-5 sequentially.For example, the control unit 161 reads a first EDID stored in the flashmemory 180 and records the first EDID to the EEPROM 150-1, reads asecond EDID stored in the flash memory 180 and records the second EDIDto the EEPROM 150-2, and reads and records the other EDIDs in the samemanner. So the EDIDs are recorded in the respective EEPROMs 150-1 to150-5 sequentially.

FIG. 3 illustrates a block diagram of a DTV according to a secondexemplary embodiment of the present invention. Hereafter, the secondexemplary embodiment of the present invention is explained referring toFIG. 3.

Descriptions about a broadcast receiving unit 110, an AV processing unit120, an output unit 130, an external interface 140, a storage unit 150,an EEPROM 170, and a flash memory 180 of the DTV of FIG. 3 are omitted,because the functions and structures of the units are same as that ofthe corresponding units in the first exemplary embodiment or may beanalogized from that of the corresponding units in the first exemplaryembodiment.

A switching unit 190 is connected to the EEPROMs 150-1 to 150-5. theswitching unit 190 switches the EEPROMs 150-1 to 150-5 sequentially tobe connected electrically to a control unit 162. the control unit 162controls switching operation of the switching unit 190.

The control unit 162 is connected to the EEPROMs 150-1 to 150-5 throughthe switching unit 190 and may send data to the EEPROMs 150-1 to 150-5through the switching unit 190.

The switching unit 190 may be connected to the control unit 162 by theI2C method and also connected to the EEPROMs 150-1 to 150-5 by the I2Cmethod.

If the EDID record indicators in the EEPROM 170 are 1, the control unit162 controls the switching operation of the switching unit 190, readsthe EDIDs stored in the flash memory 180 sequentially, and records theEDIDs to the respective EEPROMs 150-1 to 150-5 sequentially. Forexample, the control unit 162 controls the switching unit 190 to connectthe control unit 162 and the first EEPROM 150-1, reads a first EDIDstored in the flash memory 180, and records the first EDID to the EEPROM150-1. Next, the control unit 162 controls the switching unit 190 toconnect the control unit 162 and the second EEPROM 150-2, reads a secondEDID stored in the flash memory 180, and records the second EDID to theEEPROM 150-2. And the control unit 162 performs for the other EDIDs inthe same manner. So the EDIDs are recorded in the respective EEPROMs150-1 to 150-5 sequentially.

FIG. 4 illustrates a block diagram of a DTV according to a thirdexemplary embodiment of the present invention. Hereafter, the thirdexemplary embodiment of the present invention is explained referring toFIG. 4.

Descriptions about a broadcast receiving unit 110, an AV processing unit120, an output unit 130, an external interface 140, a storage unit 150,an EEPROM 170, and a flash memory 180 of the DTV of FIG. 4 are omitted,because the functions and structures of the units are the same as thatof the corresponding units in the first exemplary embodiment or may beanalogized from that of the corresponding units in the first exemplaryembodiment.

A first switching unit 190-1 is connected to the EEPROMs 150-1 to 150-2and a second switching unit 190-2 is connected to the EEPROMs 150-3 to150-5. The first switching unit 190-1 and the second switching unit190-2 switch the EEPROMs 150-1 to 150-5 sequentially to be connectedelectrically to a control unit 163. The control unit 163 controlsswitching operations of the first switching unit 190-1 and the secondswitching unit 190-2.

The control unit 163 is connected to the EEPROMs 150-1 to 150-5 throughthe first switching unit 190-1 and the second switching unit 190-2, andmay send data to the EEPROMs 150-1 to 150-5 through the first switchingunit 190-1 and the second switching unit 190-2.

The first switching unit 190-1 and the second switching unit 190-2 maybe connected to the control unit 163 by I2C method and also connected tothe EEPROMs 150-1 to 150-5 by I2C method.

If the EDID record indicators in the EEPROM 170 are 1, the control unit163 controls the switching operation of the first switching unit 190-1and the second switching unit 190-2, reads the EDIDs stored in the flashmemory 180 sequentially, and records the EDIDs to the respective EEPROMs150-1 to 150-5 sequentially. For example, the control unit 163 controlsthe first switching unit 190-1 to connect the control unit 163 and thefirst EEPROM 150-1, reads a first EDID stored in the flash memory 180,and records the first EDID to the EEPROM 150-1. Next, the control unit163 controls the first switching unit 190-1 to connect the control unit163 and the second EEPROM 150-2, reads a second EDID stored in the flashmemory 180, and records the second EDID to the EEPROM 150-2. Next, thecontrol unit 163 controls the second switching unit 190-2 to connect thecontrol unit 163 and the third EEPROM 150-3, reads a third EDID storedin the flash memory 180, and records the third EDID to the EEPROM 150-3.And the control unit 163 controls the second switching unit 190-2 andperforms for the other EDIDs in the same manner. So the EDIDs arerecorded in the respective EEPROMs 150-1 to 150-5 sequentially.

FIG. 5 illustrates a block diagram of a DTV according to a fourthexemplary embodiment of the present invention. Hereafter, the fourthexemplary embodiment of the present invention is explained referring toFIG. 5.

Descriptions about a broadcast receiving unit 110, an AV processing unit120, an output unit 130, an external interface 140, a storage unit 150,a EEPROM 170, and a flash memory 180 of the DTV of FIG. 5 are omitted,because the functions and structures of the units are the same as thatof the corresponding units in the first exemplary embodiment or may beanalogized from that of the corresponding units in the first exemplaryembodiment.

A third switching unit 190-3 is connected to the EEPROM 150-1, a fourthswitching unit 190-4 is connected to the EEPROMs 150-2 to 150-4, and afifth switching unit 190-5 is connected to the EEPROM 150-5. The thirdswitching unit 190-3, the fourth switching unit 190-4, and the fifthswitching unit 190-5 switch the EEPROMs 150-1 to 150-5 sequentially tobe connected electrically to a control unit 164. The control unit 164controls switching operations of the third switching unit 190-3, thefourth switching unit 190-4, and the fifth switching unit 190-5.

The control unit 164 is connected to the EEPROMs 150-1 to 150-5 throughthe third switching unit 190-3 to the fifth switching unit 190-5, andmay send data to the EEPROMs 150-1 to 150-5 through the third switchingunit 190-3 to the fifth switching unit 190-5.

The third switching unit 190-3 to the fifth switching unit 190-5 may beconnected to the control unit 164 by the I2C method and also connectedto the EEPROMs 150-1 to 150-5 by the I2C method.

If the EDID record indicators in the EEPROM 170 are 1, the control unit164 controls the switching operation of the third switching unit 190-3to the fifth switching unit 190-5, reads the EDIDs stored in the flashmemory 180 sequentially, and records the EDIDs to the respective EEPROMs150-1 to 150-5 sequentially. For example, the control unit 164 controlsthe third switching unit 190-3 to connect the control unit 164 and thefirst EEPROM 150-1, reads a first EDID stored in the flash memory 180,and records the first EDID to the EEPROM 150-1. Next, the control unit164 controls the fourth switching unit 190-4 to connect the control unit164 and the second EEPROM 150-2, reads a second EDID stored in the flashmemory 180, and records the second EDID to the EEPROM 150-2. And thecontrol unit 164 controls the fourth switching unit 190-4 and performsfor the third and fourth EDIDs in the same manner. Finally, the controlunit 164 controls the fifth switching unit 190-5 to connect the controlunit 164 and the fifth EEPROM 150-5, reads a fifth EDID stored in theflash memory 180, and records the fifth EDID to the EEPROM 150-5. So theEDIDs are recorded in the respective EEPROMs 150-1 to 150-5sequentially.

FIG. 6 illustrates a block diagram of a DTV according to a fifthexemplary embodiment of the present invention.

Descriptions about a broadcast receiving unit 110, an AV processing unit120, an output unit 130, an external interface 140, a storage unit 150,a EEPROM 170, and a flash memory 180 of the DTV of FIG. 6 are omitted,because the functions and structures of the units are the same as thatof the corresponding units in the first exemplary embodiment or may beanalogized from that of the corresponding units in the first exemplaryembodiment.

A sixth switching unit 190-6 is connected to the EEPROM 150-1, a seventhswitching unit 190-7 is connected to the EEPROMs 150-2, a eighthswitching unit 190-8 is connected to the EEPROMs 150-3, and a ninthswitching unit 190-9 is connected to the EEPROM 150-4 to 150-5. Thesixth switching unit 190-6 to the ninth switching unit 190-9 switch theEEPROMs 150-1 to 150-5 sequentially to be connected electrically to acontrol unit 165. The control unit 165 controls switching operations ofthe sixth switching unit 190-6 to the ninth switching unit 190-9.

The control unit 165 is connected to the EEPROMs 150-1 to 150-5 throughthe sixth switching unit 190-6 to the ninth switching unit 190-9, andmay send data to the EEPROMs 150-1 to 150-5 through the sixth switchingunit 190-6 to the ninth switching unit 190-9.

The sixth switching unit 190-6 to the ninth switching unit 190-9 may beconnected to the control unit 165 by the I2C method and also connectedto the EEPROMs 150-1 to 150-5 by the I2C method.

If the EDID record indicators in the EEPROM 170 are 1, the control unit165 controls the switching operation of the sixth switching unit 190-6to the ninth switching unit 190-9, reads the EDIDs stored in the flashmemory 180 sequentially, and records the EDIDs to the respective EEPROMs150-1 to 150-5 sequentially. For example, the control unit 165 controlsthe sixth switching unit 190-6 to connect the control unit 165 and thefirst EEPROM 150-1, reads a first EDID stored in the flash memory 180,and records the first EDID to the first EEPROM 150-1. Next, the controlunit 165 controls the seventh switching unit 190-7 and the eighthswitching unit 190-8, and performs for the second and third EDIDs in thesame manner. Next, the control unit 165 controls the ninth switchingunit 190-9 to connect the control unit 165 and the fourth EEPROM 150-4,reads a fourth EDID stored in the flash memory 180, and records thefourth EDID to the EEPROM 150-4. Finally, the control unit 165 controlsthe ninth switching unit 190-9 and performs for the fifth EDIDs in thesame manner. So the EDIDs are recorded in the respective EEPROMs 150-1to 150-5 sequentially.

FIG. 7 illustrates a block diagram of a DTV according to a sixthexemplary embodiment of the present invention. Hereafter, the sixthexemplary embodiment of the present invention is explained referring toFIG. 7.

Descriptions about a broadcast receiving unit 110, an AV processing unit120, an output unit 130, an external interface 140, a storage unit 150,a EEPROM 170, and a flash memory 180 of the DTV of FIG. 7 are omitted,because the functions and structures of the units are the same as thatof the corresponding units in the first exemplary embodiment or may beanalogized from that of the corresponding units in the first exemplaryembodiment.

A tenth switching unit 190-10 to a fourteenth switching unit 190-14 areconnected to the respective EEPROMs 150-1 to 150-5. The tenth switchingunit 190-10 to the fourteenth switching unit 190-14 switch the EEPROMs150-1 to 150-5 sequentially to be connected electrically to a controlunit 166. The control unit 166 controls switching operations of thetenth switching unit 190-10 to the fourteenth switching unit 190-14.

The control unit 166 is connected to the EEPROMs 150-1 to 150-5 throughthe tenth switching unit 190-10 to the fourteenth switching unit 190-14,and may send data to the EEPROMs 150-1 to 150-5 through the tenthswitching unit 190-10 to the fourteenth switching unit 190-14.

The tenth switching unit 190-10 to the fourteenth switching unit 190-14may be connected to the control unit 166 by the I2C method and alsoconnected to the EEPROMs 150-1 to 150-5 by the I2C method.

If the EDID record indicators in the EEPROM 170 are 1, the control unit166 controls the switching operation of the tenth switching unit 190-10to the fourteenth switching unit 190-14, reads the EDIDs stored in theflash memory 180 sequentially, and records the EDIDs to the respectiveEEPROMs 150-1 to 150-5 sequentially. For example, the control unit 166controls the tenth switching unit 190-10 to connect the control unit 166and the first EEPROM 150-1, reads the first EDID stored in the flashmemory 180, and records the first EDID to the first EEPROM 150-1. Next,the control unit 166 controls the eleventh switching unit 190-11 toconnect the control unit 166 and the second EEPROM 150-2, reads thesecond EDID stored in the flash memory 180, and records the second EDIDto the second EEPROM 150-2. Next, the control unit 166 controls thetwelfth switching unit 190-12 to the fourteenth switching unit 190-14,and performs for the third to fifth EDIDs in the same manner. So theEDIDs are recorded in the respective EEPROMs 150-1 to 150-5sequentially.

FIG. 8 illustrates a flowchart of an EDID recording operation in a DTVaccording to exemplary embodiments of the present invention. Hereafter,the recording operation of the present invention is explained referringto FIG. 8.

If the DTV is turned on (S210), the control units 161 to 166 boot theDTV (S220). IF the memories are on readable and writable status afterthe booting is finished, the control units 161 to 166 check the valuesof the EDID record indicators in the EEPROM 170 (S230).

If the values of the EDID record indicators are 1, that means that theEDIDs are not recorded in the EEPROMs 150-1 to 150-5 yet, so the controlunits 161 to 166 record the EDIDs stored in the flash memory 180 to therespective EEPROMs 150-1 to 150-5 sequentially (S240).

Descriptions about the recording method of the EDIDs to the EEPROMs150-1 to 150-5 are omitted, because it is described already.

If the recording operation is finished, the control units 161 to 166 setthe values of the EDID record indicators to 0 (S250). It means that therecording operation of the EDIDs to the EEPROMs 150-1 to 150-5 isaccomplished. If the DTV is turned on again, the steps S240 and S250 arenot performed again.

So far, it is described, using exemplary embodiments, that DTV itselfrecords EDIDs in its own EEPROMs without any EDID recording device.

Here, the EDID is an example of data which an external device reads froma DTV or data which an external device refers for sending the DTV animage signal supported by the DTV. So present invention is not limitedto the EDID but applicable to other data which an external device readsfrom the DTV or which an external device refers for sending the DTV animage signal supported by the DTV.

The PC, DVD player, and etc., which are mentioned above in exemplaryembodiments are just examples of external devices. There is nolimitation in a kind of external devices.

The DTV mentioned in embodiments is also an example of a displayapparatus, so present invention may be applicable to other kinds ofdisplay apparatus such as a monitor, a Personal Multimedia Player (PMP),and a GPS device.

The EEPROMs 150-1 to 150-5 and 170 and the flash memory 180 also may besubstituted for other kinds of storage means.

Exemplary embodiments mentioned above just show the case that theexternal interface 140, but there is no limitation in the number ofexternal devices.

Connection methods other than the I2C method may be used to connect thecontrol units 161 to 163 and the switching unit 190, and connect theswitching unit 190 to 190-14 and the EEPROMs 150-1 to 150-5.

Exemplary embodiments show the case that EDID recording is performed atthe time when the DTV is turned on. But EDID recording may be performedat other time such as when a user commands or downloading a new versionof EDID to the flash memory 180 is completed.

FIG. 9 illustrates a block diagram of a display apparatus according toan eighth exemplary embodiment of the present invention. Referring toFIG. 9, the display apparatus of the eighth exemplary embodimentcomprises an external interface 910, a storage unit 920, and a controlunit 930.

The external interface 910 is connected to an external device forcommunication. The storage unit 920 provides a storage space forrecording data which the external device, connected through the externalinterface 910, reads. The control unit 930 records data, which theexternal device connected through the external interface 910 reads, inthe storage unit 920.

FIG. 10 illustrates a flowchart of data recording operation in thedisplay apparatus illustrated in FIG. 9. Referring to FIG. 10, thedisplay apparatus connected to the external device for communicationrecords data, which the external device reads, to a storage space in thedisplay apparatus (S1010).

FIG. 11 illustrates a block diagram of display apparatus according to atenth exemplary embodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIG.11, the display apparatus according to the tenth exemplary embodimentcomprises an external interface 1110, a storage unit 1120, and a controlunit 1130.

The external interface 1110 is connected to an external device forcommunication. The storage unit 1120 provides a storage space forrecording data, which is referred by the external device to send animage signal supported by the display apparatus, in the externalinterface 1110. The control unit 1130 records data, which is referred bythe external device to send an image signal supported by the displayapparatus to the external interface 1110, in the storage unit 1120.

FIG. 12 illustrates a block diagram of display apparatus according to aneleventh exemplary embodiment of the present invention. Referring toFIG. 12, the display apparatus according to the eleventh exemplaryembodiment comprises an external interface 1210, a display 1220, astorage unit 1230, and a control unit 1240.

The external interface 1210 is connected to an external device forcommunication. The display 1220 displays the image received from theexternal device through the external interface 1210. The storage unit1230 provides a storage space for recording data related to displayinformation. The control unit 1240 records the data, which is related tothe display information, in the storage unit 1230.

According to the exemplary embodiments, it is shown that the displayapparatus itself may record the data in its own storage unit without anydata recording device.

According to the exemplary embodiments described so far, the displayapparatus itself may record data, which an external device reads fromthe display apparatus or which an external device refers for sending thedisplay apparatus an image signal supported by the display apparatus, inits own storage unit.

Because the display apparatus is capable to record the data without adata recording device, processes for manufacturing and for A/S aresimplified and it becomes possible for a user to update or re-recordthis kind of data in the display apparatus.

Although exemplary embodiments of the present invention have beendescribed for illustrative purposes, those skilled in the art willappreciate that various modifications, additions and substitutions arepossible, without departing from the scope and spirit of the inventionas disclosed in the accompanying claims.

1. A display apparatus comprising: an interface which is connected to anexternal device for communication; a storage unit; and a control unitwhich stores data in the storage unit, wherein the external device readsthe stored data through the interface.
 2. The display apparatus of claim1, wherein the external device refers to the stored data for sending animage signal supported by the display apparatus, to the interface. 3.The display apparatus of claim 2, wherein the data comprises ExtendedDisplay Identification Data (EDID) of the display apparatus.
 4. Thedisplay apparatus of claim 1, wherein the data comprises displayinformation of the display apparatus.
 5. The display apparatus of claim1, wherein the control unit is connected to the storage unit and sendsthe data to the storage unit.
 6. The display apparatus of claim 1,wherein the control unit records the data to the storage unit when anindicator has a predetermined value.
 7. The display apparatus of claim6, wherein the control unit determines whether the indicator has thepredetermined value, when the display apparatus is turned on.
 8. Thedisplay apparatus of claim 1, wherein the interface comprises at leastone input unit which is connected to at least one external device forcommunication, and the storage unit comprises at least one storagemedium which is connected to the respective input unit.
 9. The displayapparatus of claim 8 further comprising at least one switching unit,wherein one of the at least one switching unit connects at least oneamong the plurality of storage mediums to the control unit in aswitching operation, wherein the control unit controls the switchingoperation of the at least one switching unit so that the control unit issequentially connected to the plurality storage mediums.
 10. The displayapparatus of claim 1 further comprising a memory in which the data isrecorded, wherein the control unit reads the data from the memory andstores the data in the storage unit.
 11. The display apparatus of claim1, further comprising: a broadcast receiving unit which receives abroadcasting signal from at least one external device; a signalprocessing unit which processes at least one of the broadcasting signalreceived through the broadcast receiving unit, and the image signalreceived from the at least one external device through the interface;and a display unit which displays the at least one of the processedbroadcasting signal and the processed image signal.
 12. The displayapparatus of claim 1, further comprising: a signal processing unit whichprocesses the image signal which is received from the external devicethrough the interface; and a display unit which displays the at leastone of the processed broadcasting signal and the processed image signal.13. A data recording method of a display apparatus connected to anexternal device for communication, the method comprising recording adata to a storage space of the display apparatus, wherein the externaldevice reads the recorded data.
 14. The data recording method of claim13, wherein the external device refers to the stored data to send animage signal supported by the display apparatus to the displayapparatus.
 15. The data recording method of claim 14, wherein the datacomprises Extended Display Identification Data (EDID) of the displayapparatus.
 16. The data recording method of claim 13, wherein the datacomprises display information of the display apparatus.
 17. The datarecording method of claim 13, wherein the display apparatus is a TV or amonitor.
 18. The data recording method of claim 13, wherein therecording the data is performed only when an indicator has apredetermined value.
 19. A display apparatus comprising: an externalinterface which is connected to a device for communication; a storageunit; and a control unit which stores data in the storage unit; whereinthe device refers to the stored data to send an image signal supportedby the display apparatus, to the external interface.
 20. A displayapparatus comprising: an interface which is connected to an externaldevice for communication; a display unit which displays an image signalreceived from the external device through the interface; a storage unit;and a control unit which stores data in the storage unit; wherein thedata comprises information on the display unit.